Combination credenza and folding bed



Oct. 30, 1956 J. 1.. CAROLEO COMBINATION CREDENZA AND FOLDING BED 2 Sheets-Sheet l Fild Jan. 21, 1954 INVENTOR. JOSEPH L.CAROLEO BY v Mo /Mk Oct. 30, 1956 J. CAROLEO COMBINATION CREDENZA AND FOLDING BED 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Jan. 21, 1954 INVENTOR. JOSEPH L. CAROLEO BY United States Patent i COMBINATION CREDENZA AND FOLDING BED Joseph L. Caroleo, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application January 21, 1954, Serial No. 405,298

2 Claims. (Cl. -'2) This invention relates to a combination folding bed and article of furniture and more particularly to the combination of a credenza and folding bed.

It is an object of this invention to provide a credenza in combination with a folding bed wherein the functions of both furniture pieces are preserved and which occupies a minimum amount of space when used for either purpose.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide a credenza arrangement suitable for use as such and presenting an aesthetically pleasing appearance during the daytime without revealing its possible function as a bed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a folding bed in combination with a credenza wherein a minimum amount of space is occupied by either or both and regardless of whether the piece of furniture is set up for use as a credenza during the daytime or set up for use as a bed during the night.

Another object of this invention is to provide a folding bed and credenza combination wherein the bed may be folded in a simple and efiicient manner and moved into storage position within the credenza with a minimum amount of effort.

A further object of this invention is to provide a folding bed and credenza combination wherein upon the bed being folded and moved into stored position within the credenza, said bed will automatically lock itself into position therein so as to prevent the accidental extension of the bed from the credenza.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a folding bed arrangement in combination with an article of furniture such as a credenza, wherein the folding bed vwhen extended for use, occupies a position parallel with the face of the credenza.

Other and further objects, benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the description thereof contained in the annexed drawings, specifications and claims or will otherwise become obvious. It will be understood that the invention herein disclosed may be employed for other purposes for which the structure and arrangement are adapted.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a credenza in accordance with my invention shown in completely closed position,

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the credenza shown in Figure 1 showing the doors in open position and the bed in folded position as it appears initially upon withdrawal from the interior of the bed compartment,

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the folded bed in the position shown in Figure 2 and showing a portion of the bed compartment in cross-section,

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the bed in fully unfolded or extended position,

Figure 5 is a cross-section of Figure 2 taken along line 5-5,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention,

2,768,389 Patented Get. 36, 1956 Figure 7 is a cross-section of the bed compartment portion of the credenza shown in Figure 6, the doors being removed therefrom for purposes of clarity, and showing the bed in fully extended position,

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing the bed in folded condition as it would appear immediately after withdrawal from the bed compartment and prior to being unfolded, and

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 showing the bed stored within the bed compartment.

As shown in Figure 1, the article of furniture to which this invention particularly relates comprises a credenza designated generally by the numeral 10 which is provided with a series of shelves 11 extending at its sides and an intermediate horizontal shelf 12. Located centrally of the credenza and defined by the shelves is a central or bed compartment 13 which is enclosed by means of hingedly supported doors 14. Doors 14 when open, as may be more particularly seen from Figures 2 and 4, enclose a central or bed compartment 13 which is defined by a top wall 15, side walls 16 and base 17. The rear of the compartment is enclosed by means of back wall 18 and the front face thereof is enclosed by means of doors 14 hingedly supported upon side walls 16. It will thus be noted that a substantially rectangular compartment is defined by means of these walls and that access into the compartment is bad by means of doors 14 which swing open to a position parallel with the front or longitudinal face of the credenza.

The bed portion of the device is comprised of a folding bed formed of a frame work suitably shaped bars or rods such as for example right angle iron. The frame consists of two end sections 19 which may interchangeably be the head or foot portion of the bed, as desired by the user, and a main bed or intermediate section 20. The end sections are connected to the intermediate section by means of linking bars 21 pivotally secured at each end of the intermediate section and to the respective end sections. As a result of this arrangement the end sections may be folded inwardly and toward each other over the inter mediate section to a position as shown in Figure 2. Linking bars 21 provide spacers between the intermediate and end frame sections so that a foldable mattress may rest upon the frame in extended position and is capable of being folded along with the end sections. The links permit a substantially rectangular enclosure to be formed within which the mattress is thus received in folded condition. A suitable latch bar 22 is pivotally secured at the end edge of one of the end sections 19 and is provided with a slot at its other end adapted to be brought into latching engagement with a pin provided at the end edge of the other end section 19 thereby permitting the bed to be locked in folded position. The intermediate section is additionally provided with pairs of pivotally mounted legs 28 which are foldable inwardly and toward the intermediate section when the bed is to be stored.

Extending from the side edges of intermediate section 20 are connecting bars 23 which are received in perforations formed in horizontal pivot bar 24. The ends of connecting bars 23 are threaded and thus permit the connecting bars to be secured to the horizontal pivot bar by means of nuts 25 and permit the spacing between the side edge of the bed and the horizontal bar to be adjusted and locked in such adjusted position. Horizontal pivot bar 24 is received in bearing plates 26 which are secured at the forward bottom portion of each side wall 16. Bearing plates 26 may be formed of any suitable metal, such as steel and are provided with guide slots 27 substantially in the form of an inverted J. The guide slots thus have a vertically extending portion which terminates at its upper end in a convolute head portion facing toward the front of the credenza. The ends of the horizontal pivot bar 24 are received in guide slots 27 and thus connect the folding bed structure with the credenza structure. As a result of this arrangement when the folding bed is in folded position as indicated in Figures 2, 3 and 5, it may be lifted at the edge remote from the credenza and the entire bed pivots in the convolute portion of the slot. The legs 28 of the bed then folded inwardly and against the intermediate section thereof and the entire bed is then moved so that the ends of the horizontal pivot bar 24 enter the vertical portion of guide slots 27 and thus the entire folded bed is permitted to drop down toward the bottom of the bed compartment. The bed thus assumes the position indicated by the broken lines in Figure 5. In this position, the bed is firmly and securely retained within the bed compartment and locked into upright position. In order to permit the bed to be withdrawn from the compartment this operation is reversed, the bed being lifted so that the ends of the horizontal pivot bars slide upwardly in the vertical portion of guide slots 27 until said ends pass into the convolute portion of the slots and thus permit the bed to be pivoted outwardly from the compartment. In view of this arrangement a simple and effective means is provided for storing and withdrawing the bed from the interior of the compartment and the bed is prevented from being accidentally displaced therefrom. When it is desired to extend the bed after withdrawal from the interior of the compartment, it is merely necessary to extend pivoted legs 28 and then after having opened latch bar 22 unfold end sections 19 so that the bed assumes the position indicated in Figure 4. In this position the bed is parallel with the longitudinal face of the credenza and occupies a minimum amount of space in the room since it extends therefrom only to the extent of its width. Thus the credenza may be readily positioned to fit into the general decorative arrangement of the room since no other piece of furniture would normally be placed at such short distance from the front face or sides of a credenza and the credenza may be utilized in narrow spaces and rooms. Furthermore, the credenza maye be utilized as a screen to hide the bed from view. As an additional convenience, adding to the utility of the device, a bed lamp 29 which may be a fluorescent tube is mounted on the under surface of the top wall of the bed compartment.

Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 represent a modified form of the invention in which many of the advantages thereof are realized. In this modified form, a credenza structure is provided which is in many respects similar to that shown in Figure l. The credenza, which is designated generally by the numeral 36, is provided with a series of shelves 31 extending along its side and a lower face panel 32 along the base portion thereof between said shelves. Located centrally of the credenza and above panel 32 are hingedly supported doors 34. Doors 34 enclose a central or bed compartment 33 as may be seen in cross-section in Figures 7, 8 and 9 wherein the doors have been removed for the purpose of clarity. Bed compartment 33 is defined by a top wall 35, side walls 36 and base 37. The lower portion of the compartment is permanently enclosed at the front by means of lower face panel 32. it should be noted that the juncture of lower face panel 32 with base 37 forms an offset or step in the interior of the bed compartment as shown at 38 and furthermore, that the provision of the lower face panel results in an enclosed recess 39 formed in the lower portion of the bed compartment.

The bed portion of this modified form of the invention is comprised of a folding bed formed of suitably shaped bars or rods and may advantageously be formed of right angle irons. The frame consists of two main sections 4t) and 41 which may interchangeably be the head or foot portion of the bed, as desired by the user, and a central linking portion 42. The end sections are pivotally connected at their respective inner ends to the central linking portion 42. The main sections 40 and 41 are additionally provided with pivotally mounted rests 43 and 44 which are swung against main sections 4 and 41 respectively when the bed is folded. Extending across the frame is a suitable grid work of wires such as is shown in Figure 3 with respect to that embodiment of the invention adapted to support a mattress in the conventional manner. The ends of the main sections 40 and 41 are provided with cap elements 45 and 46 respectively. The end portion 47 of main section 40 is provided with outwardly extending trunnions 48 extending from the side edges thereof, which trunnions are received in suitable bearings in side walls 36 thereby pivotally mounting main section 46 with respect to said side walls. Assuming the bed to be extended in the position indicated in Figure 7, the bed is folded by merely raising and folding main section 41 over main scction 40 to the position shown in Figure 8. A latch arrangement 49 which operates similarly to latch bar 22, shown in Figure 3, is then closed and the entire bed is then pivoted upon trunnions 43 and thus positioned in the bed compartment in the manner indicated in Figure 9. The doors of the credenza may then be closed and the folded bed structure presents the appearance of a credenza as shown in Figure 6 and hides the bed from view entirely. It should'be noted, as may be more clearly seen in Figure 9, that the end portion 47 bears against step 38 formed adjacent to the base of the bed compartment. Step 38 is positioned forwardly of the pivot point provided by trunnions 48 so that the upper position of the bed as shown in Figure 9 is inclined inwardly and toward the back wall of the compartment. The slight inward inclination of the bed causes itto abut with and rest firmly against step 38 which serves as a limit stop. Accidental displacement of the bed from the interior of the compartment is thus prevented.

I have here shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention. It will be apparent, however, that this invention is not limited to this embodiment and that many changes, additions and modifications can be made in connection therewith without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A combination credenza and folding bed comprising a credenza, a compartment formed in the body of said credenza and defined by top, bottom and side walls, a foldable bed received in said compartment in folded condition, said bed comprising a pair of end sections and an intermediate section, linking bars pivotally connecting said intermediate section with said end sections whereby said end sections may be folded toward each other and over said intermediate section, spacer bars extending from the side edge of said intermediate section adjacent to said credenza, a horizontally extending pivot bar secured to said spacer bars, said pivot bar being disposed within said compartment and extending between the side walls thereof, bearing means located at the sides of said compartment, the ends of said pivot bar being received in said bearing means, said bearing means comprising a plate secured to each of the side walls of said compartment, each of said plates being provided with a slot shaped substantially in the form of an inverted J.

2. A combination credenza and folding bed comprising a credenza, a compartment formed in the body of said credenza and defined by top, bottom and side walls, a foldable bed received in said compartment in folded condition, said bed comprising a pair of end sections and an intermediate section, linking bars pivotally connecting said intermediate section with said end sections whereby said end sections may be folded toward each other and over said intermediate section, spacer bars extending from the side edge of said intermediate section adjacent to said credenza, a horizontally extending pivot bar secured to said spacer bars, said pivot bar being disposed within said compartment and extending between the side walls thereof, bearing means located at the sides of said compartment, the ends of said pivot bar being received in said bearing means, said bearing means comprising aplatese- 5 6 cured to each of the side walls of said compartment, each 1,990,959 Saperstein Feb. 12, 1935 of said plates being provided with a slot shaped substan- 2,484,377 Eramo et al Oct. 11, 1949 tially in the form of an inverted J, said slot having a con- FOREIGN PATENTS volute portion within which the ends of said pivot bar are capable of pivotal movement and a vertically extending 2,258 Great Brltam 4, 1905 portion within which said bar may be moved up and down. 412,185 Italy 1945 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,896,288 Coopersmi-th Feb. 7, 1933 

